Somalia Facts.

A country with which takes pride on its local specialties and the most amazing and fresh seafood such as lobster prawn and crab. These gastronomic experiences would not be complete without experiencing the tropical Somali bananas, mangoes and papaya. With the tropical climate in the area that reaches the average of 47 Celsius, it is best to visit around the cooler months of June and August. This time of the year makes the visit to the wonderful beaches and the National Park such as the Kismayu National Park where you get to see rare East African species more comfortable and worthwhile.

Important and Interesting Facts about Somalia

Somalia Is situated in the Horn of Africa on the easternmost edge of Africa with the Indian Ocean to the east, Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Yemen across the Gulf of Aden to the north and Kenya to the southwest.

Somalia is a semiarid land in the Horn of Africa, and it is flat in the south, with mountains in the north reaching more than 2,000 meters (6,500 feet)

Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia and its largest city. It is also known as Xamar.

Somalia is a semi arid land that experiences a very hot climate as it is located close to the equator. The average temperature round the year is 20 to 40⁰C. Some parts in the north experience temperatures above 45⁰C.

Generally arid and barren, Somalia has two chief rivers, the Shebelle and the Juba.

Cool, Funny, and Fun Facts about Somalia

This country is the first African nation that was used for flying warplanes by the British.

Somalia is the only country in the world that does not possess a central form of government.

Somalia is a Home to infamous pirates.

The Egyptians referred to Somalia as the Land of Punt that was rendered famous for frankincense and myrrh.

The Portuguese were the first European explorers to visit Somalia.

The customary law of Somalia is known as Xeer, a polycentric legal system with no institution or legal agents to determine or interpret the laws.

Somalia has one of the most advanced telecommunications system in Africa.

Somalia is the only Islamic country in the world that boasts of a 100% concentration of Sunni Muslims.

Somalia has the largest refugee camp in the world.

Somalia is the only African nation that can boast of the cheapest cellular tariff rates with some companies charging less than a cent per minute.

Historical and Cultural Facts about Somalia

Somalia comprises of 27 regions and was colonized by both Britain and France before it gained independence in July 1, 1960.

British Somaliland gained independence from Britain on June 26, 1960 and Italian ▪Somaliland gained independence from Italy just a few days after that on July 1, 1960.

Provisional Constitution for the Federal Republic of Somalia, approved by a constitutional assembly 1 August 2012

The origin of the Somali people is not known. Nevertheless, historians opine that the Somali tribe originated in the south European highlands but gradually migrated to populate Horn of Africa at around B.C. 100.

The majority of Somalis are Sunni Muslims and a smaller percentage follows the Shia Muslim denomination and Sufism.

Somalia has a rich musical tradition that has evolved out of Somalian folklore.